Automatic liquid-separator.



PATENTED AUG. 18, 1908.

0. ZERKOWITZ. AUTOMATIC LIQUID SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1907.

- (NVENTOR 755 52" Z sri'azzzzkz A TTORNE Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR ZERKOWITZ, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO HENRY L.SOHORNDORFER AND ONE-FOURTH TO LEOPOLD J. DAUTEL, BOTH OF CLEVELAND,

OHIO.

AUTOMATIC LIQUIDSEPARATOR.'

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. is, 1908.

Application filed June 24, 1907. Serial No. 380,589.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR ZERKOWITZ, a citizen of Austria-Hungary,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticLiquid-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic liquid-separators,being primarily designed for the separation of liquids of differentspecific gravities. I

The invention relates more particularly to separators for se aratingwater from gasolene, being specia ly designed for use in connection withthe gasolene tank of automobiles, motor-boats etc., and the primaryobject of the invention is to separate the major portion of the waterthrough the medium of the force of gravity in connectionwithafloatcontrolled valve, and the minor portion of the water by combiningwith said means communicating-chambers provided at their upper portionswith outlet-openings covered with foraminous material so that thelighter liquid is first brought into contact with the foraminousmaterial from below thus preventing the weight of the lighter liquidfrom acting to press or carry with it the heavier liquid, as is the casewhen the liquids are brought into contact with the foraminous materialfrom above, by the force of gravity, as is the case in an ordinaryfunnel-shaped strainer, or the like.

With these and other ends in view, the invention consists'in the novelconstruction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafterdescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularlypointed out in the appended cla ms.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure1, is a vertical central sectional view of the im roved separator. Fig.2, a cross section view taken through line II-II, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, atop plan view of the same.

Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout all thefigures of the drawings.

The preferred form of the improved separator comprises a cylindricalmain body portion 1, and is designed to be mounted in a vertical ositionwithin the gasolenetank or receptac e (not shown) and is secured to theupper and lower walls 2, thereof, by means of upper and lower flangedrings 3, and 4, re-

tion 1.

spectively, said rings being secured to the cylindrical body 1, andhaving their flanged portions secured to said upper and lower walls 2,of the receptacle, by means of rivets and soldering.

A second or inner cylindrical body ortion or vessel 5, is mountedconcentrical y with the first or outer body portion 1, by means of anupper ring-head 6, having exterior threads to engage with interiorthreads of the upper flanged ring 3, and a lower depending flanged head7, terminating in a central dischargepipe 8, the depending portion 7 ofsaid head 7 taking into and fitting within a central opening of aflanged ring or head 9, secured within the lower end of the outer bodypor- The shoulder portion 7*, of the head 7, rests upon an annularpacking-gasket 10, interposed between the same and the ring or head 9,and is designed to prevent leakage at this point of the fluid containedin the annular receptacle 11, formed between the walls 1, and 5.

A float-controlled valve is mounted within the depending portion of thehead 7, and just above the discharge-pipe 8, by the following describedmeans, VlZ-I A supportingplate 12, secured to the head 7, by means ofbolt supporting-sleeves 13, and bolts 14, said bolts having rivet-heads14 and extending through the ends of the plate 12, sleeves 13, and thehead 7, and provided at their lower ends with lock-nuts 15. Washers orpackinggaskets 16, are interposed between the lower ends of the sleeves13, and the head 7, to

revent leakage through the bolt-holes of the atter. A pair of standardsor arms 17, are mounted upon the plate 12, terminating at their'upperends in lugs 17 in which are secured lever-arms 18, by means ofpivot-pins 19, the outer or movable ends of the leverarms 18, beingprovided with slotted openings 20, and, near their fixed pivot-ends withslotted fulcrum-openings 21, carrying a crosspin 22, taking through theupper end of a vertically-arranged movable valve-stem or bolt 23,slidably-mounted in a guide-sleeve 24, of the plate 12.Disk-valve-plates 25, and 25*, are secured to the lower end of avalve-stem or bolt 23, by means of a locked nut 26, and a disk ofsuitable resilient material 27, preferably of cork, is interposedbetween the plates 25, and 25, the lower plate 25 being of such diameteras to expose an annular valve-bearing-surface 27 to impinge upon avalve-ring 28, preferably of German silver, about the upper edges of thedischarge-pi e 7.

terial that is least affected or deteriorated by the action of thegasolene.

The float consists of an air-tight cylindrical vessel 29,concentrically-arranged within the walls of the inner vessel 5, by meansof crossarms 30, extending. through the vessel 29, and the ends thereofim inging against the inner surface of the vessel 5. The lower end ofthe vessel 29, is provided witha flanged head 31, carrying adisk-weight-block 32, preferably of lead, mounted above and within thevessel 29, by means of a central bolt 33, and disk-cap 34. The flangedhead 31, is provided near its edges with depending lugs 35, within whichare secured the outer movable ends. of the lever-arms 18, by means ofcross-pins 36. It will be observed that the force exerted by the upwardand down.- ward motions of the float is greatly multiplied at the valve.

The tank is filled through the separator, the fluid being poured intothe upper end of the separator which is provided with a cap or head 37,having a central wrench-head opening 38, and a depending rim 39, saidrim being screw-threaded. on its interior to, engage with theexteriorly-threaded flanged ring 3, and an annular flan e 40, to bearagainst the flanged ortion of said ring 3, a packing gasket 41, einginterposed to pre vent leaka e etc. 7

A centra depending portion 42, of the cap 37, is adapted to impinge upona head 43, of the float 29, when the cap is in its closed position, thusnormally keeping the float down and preventing the opening of theattached valve when the separator is closed, as against the jar incidentto the running of the automobile.

A series of openings 44, covered with very fine gauze, or otherforaminous materialis formed near the up or ends of the outer and innerWalls 1, an 5, through which the liglqter liquid passes into the tank orreceptac e.

The annular chamber 11, formed between the walls 1, and 5, communicateswith the main chamber 45, of the receptacle by means of a plurality ofopenings 46, near the bottom thereof.

The rovision of the outer wall or vessel 1,

isfor t e following purposes: First: to form communicating chambers bymeans of open ings in their upper and lower portions, said upperopenings being covered with foraminous material, whereby the lighterliquid is first brought into contact with the foraminous material and insuch a manner as to prevent the weight of the lighter liquid fromcarrying with it the heavier liquid through the foraminous materialcovering the openings. Second: to allow the working parts of The cork isused as a packing materia because it is a resilient mathe se arator tobe readily and quickly removec from the tank for repair-or inspection.Third: to form a better and more convenient connection between the bodyortion of the separator and the upper and ower walls of the tank, aswell as to provide for a convenient fastening device or mounting fortanks of various depths.

The operation of the separator, taking for example its operation inseparating water from gasolene, is as follows: The present. form ofseparator is adapted to separate endless quantities ofliquids ofdifferent specific gravities, and is adapted to separate the liquidssimultaneously and in substantially two constant streams while themixture is,

, being poured into the top of the separator,

ered with foraminous material, While the heavier liquid, or water, isadapted to pass through the discharge-pipeS, by the opening of thefloat-controlled-valve. When the mixture is poured into the separator,it immediately finds. its way into and'fills. the annular space or mainchamber 45, between thewalls of the float 29, and the walls of the innervessel 5, and the agitation and circulation of the liquid therein causedby the falling stream of the pouring liquid engenders many little andmixed particles of both liquids in the form of many millions of drops orair-bubbles.

It will be observed that the annular space filled by the circulatingliquid is quite narrow and deep, and the liquid in the lower or baseortion of the annular space and about the filiat-controlled valve ismore quiescent or placid than in the upper portion into which. themixture is. being poured, and, consequently, a Stratification of theliquids is permitted throughout this portion of the receptacle, theheavier liquid settling'and rising about the float to a substantiallypredetermined height as will now be explained.

It is obvious that the character of the float should be such that itwill float in the water or heavier liquid and will sink in the gasoleneor lighter liquid.

It will be understood from the above that it will be impossible for thefloat to rise when 44, the turbulent fluid is broken and enters theannular chamber 11, as a placid stream.

The fluid filling the annular chamber 11, is quiescent and enters themain chamber 45, of the receptacle through a plurality of openings 46,near the bottom thereof, so that should any of the heavier fluid passinto the chamber 11, it will settle and tranquilly pass through theopenings 46, into the lower portion of the main chamber 45, thus furthercontributing to the quiescence of the liquid in this portion of thechamber. Furthermore, it has been found that when the mixture is broughtinto contact with the wire gauze as per arrangement of the parts andunder the conditions shown and described, the wire gauze has theproperty of separating or screening out the heavier liquid, provided theopposite side of the gauze has not become moistened by, or wet with, theheavier liquid.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is,

1. In a separator, a tank, an inner and an outer vessel forming chamberscommunicating with each other by means of foraminous material inthe-upper portions of said vessels, and a float-controlled valve mountedin one of said chambers.

2. In a separator, a tank, inner and outer vessels forming main andannular chambers, respectively, communicating with each other and withsaid tank by means of openings in their upper portions covered withforaniinous material, and a float-controlled valve rnounted in the lowerportion of said inner vessel.

. 3. In a separator, a tank, an inner and an outer vessel communicatingwith each other and with said tank by means of openings in their upperportions covered with foraminous material, and a float-controlled valvemounted in said inner vessel.

4. In a separator, a tank, a plurality of communicating vessels mountedin said tank, a float-controlled valve mounted at the lower end of saidvessels, and communication formed between the upper portions of saidvessels and said tank by means of foraminous material.

5. In a separator, inner and outer vessels forming main and annularchambers communicating with each other by means of a plurality ofopenings, in the upper portions of said vessels, covered with foraminousmaterial and uncovered openings in said inner vessel below said coveredopenings.

6. In a separator, an outer vessel provided at its upper portion with aplurality of outlet-openings, an inner vessel forming an intermediateannular chamber and provided at its upper and lower portions with aplurality of openings communicating with said annular chamber, saidopenings in the upper portion of said inner vessel being provided withforaminousmaterial.

7. In a separator, the combination with an inner vessel provided with afloat-controlled valve; of an outer vessel forming an annular chamberintermediate said inner and outer vessel, outlet-openings covered withforaminous material formed in the upper portions of sald inner andouter'vessels, and

inlet-openings in the lower portion of said inner vessel.

8. In a separator, the combination with a cylindrical main body portionprovided at its upper portion with a plurality of outletopenings coveredwith foraminous material; of a second cylindrical body portion mountedwithin said main body portion and provided with a plurality ofinlet-openings covered with foraminous material in its upper portion,said second'or inner body portion forming, conjointly with said outermain body portion, an annular chamber communicating with said inlet andoutlet openings.

9. A separator, comprising an inner and outer vessel forming main andannular chambers, respectively, communicating with each other by meansof a plurality of upper and lower openings, said upper openings beingcovered with foraminous material, and said inner vessel being providedwith a valveopening and a float-controlled valve.

10. A separator, comprising a cylindricalbody portion provided at itstop with a series of discharge-openings and at its lower ends with ahead having a centrally-located disehargepipe, a valve mountedimmediately above said discharge-pipe and provided with a valve-stem, asupporting-plate mounted above said valve and secured to said head, apair of standards mounted upon said supporting-plate, a pair ofoppositely-disposed lever-arms pivotally-secured at one end to saidstandards and provided near their fulcrums with a common cross-pincarrying said valve-stem, and a hollow cylindrical floatconcentrically-arranged within said cy-- lindrical body portion andsecured to the outer ends of said lever-arms.

11. A separator, comprising an outer vessel or main bodyportion providedwith a plurality of outlet-openings covered with toraminous material, aninner vessel forming an intermediate annular chamber within said outervessel and provided at its lower end with a plurality of inlet-openingsand at its upper end with outlet-openings covered with foraminousmaterial, and a valve-opening normally closed by means of a valve andfloat mounted in said inner vessel.

12. In a separator, a tank, an outer vessel mounted in said tank andcommunicating therewith byrmeans of foraminous material, an inner vesselforming an annular chamber intermediate the walls of said vessels andprovided with outlet and inlet-openings, said outlet openings beingcovered with a foraminous material, a valve normally closing said valveopening, and a float connected to said valve and mounted in said innervessel.

13. In a separator, the combination with a cylindrical body providednearits upper end with a plurality of outlet-openings and at its lowerend with a head having a dischargeopening, a valve mounted above saiddischarge-opening, and a float secured to said valve andconcentricallymounted in said cylindrical body; of a cap or head securedto said cylindrical body and resting against said float whereby tonormally close said valve.

14. In a separator, the combination with a main body portion provided atits upper portion with a plurality of outlet-openings covered withforaminous material and at its lower end with a head having adischargeopening, a valve normally closing said discharge-opening, and afloat secured to said valve; of a cap or head mounted on said main bodyportion and resting on said float whereby to close said valve.

15. A separator, comprising a casing provided with a plurality ofopenings, covered with foraminous material, at its upper portion and atitslower end with a head having a discharge-opening, a valve 'mountedabove said discharge-opening, a float secured to said valve, and a heador cap adapted to rest on said float when in its closed position.

16. A separator, comprising a doublewalled casing providing anintermediate annular chamber and a main chamber communicating with eachother by means of a plurality of outlet and inlet-openings formed in thewalls of said inner casing, said outlet openings being covered withforaminous material, a valve-opening formed in the lower nicating withsaid. tank, a head secured to said separator vessel and provided with adischarge-opening outside of said tank, and a float-controlled valvenormally closing said discharge-opening.

-18. In a separator, a plurality of vessels forming communicatingchambers provided with openings covered with foraminous material, avalve opening, a valve normally closing said valve-opening, and a floatconnected to said valve.

19. A separator, comprising a tank, a plurality of vessels communicatingwith each other and with said tank by means of f0 raminous material, afloat-controlled valve formed in one of said vessels, and aninletopening leading from said vessel containing said float-controlledvalve.

In testimony whereof I have a'lliXed my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

' OSCAR ZERKOWITZ.

Witnesses:

JEANNETTE BILLMAN, O. C. BILLMAN.

